Ali Fisher at Tor Teen has acquired Five Midnights in July by Ann Dávila Cardinal in a two-book deal. A twist on a Caribbean boogeyman myth set in contemporary Puerto Rico, the novel features a girl who is forced to spend the summer with her police commissioner uncle. While following his investigation into a series of grisly murders, she uncovers an ancient evil beyond the rule of law. Publication is set for 2019; Linda Camacho at the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency handled the deal for world English rights. Cardinal will be donating a portion of her advance to post-hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
Hannah Allaman at Disney has bought Nina Moreno's debut YA contemporary novel, Saint Rosa of the Sea, pitched as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, in a preempt. The women in Rosa's family are cursed: her abuela is exiled from Cuba, her mother is reckless, and Rosa is forbidden to go to the sea. Rosa dreams of finally seeing their island, but her study abroad plans crumble amid political changes just as she crashes into a quiet boy from the docks. Publication is planned for summer 2019; Laura Crockett at Triada US Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Lauren Smulski at Harlequin Teen has acquired Mara Rutherford's debut YA fantasy, Coral and Pearl, in which a young woman from a village in the sea must impersonate her twin on land to save everyone she loves from a tyrannical prince. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Uwe Stender of Triada US brokered the deal for world English rights.
Erin Stein at Macmillan/Imprint has bought, at auction, North American rights to Snazzy Cat Capers, an illustrated chapter book series by Deanna Kent, illustrated by Neil Hooson. The series follows the heists and hijinks of the world's number one cat burglar. In the first book, Ophelia von Hairball and her fishy inventor compete with Ophelia's nemesis to steal a giant diamond from a Paris mew-seum. Book one is slated for September 2018; Gemma Cooper of the Bent Agency represented the author and the illustrator in the three-book deal.
Neal Porter at Holiday House has acquired Kevan Atteberry's picture book, Ghost Cat, the story of what happens when a beloved kitty is gone and yet not-gone, for his new imprint. Publication is set for summer 2019; Erin Murphy of Erin Murphy Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Daria Harper at Chronicle has bought world rights to Jenn Bailey's (l.) A Friend for Henry, illustrated by Mika Song. Making friends is daunting for Henry, a boy on the autism spectrum. His best efforts are often misunderstood, but after an art project mix-up, and a Circle Time setback, Henry finds a way to build a friendship. The book is planned for spring 2019; the author was represented by Rosemary Stimola, and the illustrator by Erica Rand Silverman, both of Stimola Literary Studio.
Christy Cox at Sasquatch/Little Bigfoot has acquired world rights to What Is It Like to Live on an Island? by Emma Bland Smith (l.), illustrated by Elizabeth Person. The picture book follows a child through a day in the life on the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington State. Publication is scheduled for April 2019; Essie White of Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Jessica Burgess and Peter Phillips at Tundra Books have bought world rights to 7 Ate 9 author and StoryStorm creator Tara Lazar's (l.) Your First Day of (Circus) School, a twist on the first day of school where a kid receives advice from his older sibling on how to get along in circus school. Melissa Crowton will illustrate; publication is slated for summer 2019. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
